Preliminary autopsy: Homicide victim died from head trauma

From staff reports

Published: Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 5:18 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 5:18 p.m.

Preliminary autopsy results for Gerald “Jerry” Walker, 71, who died after an altercation with his son at a condo in Etowah Sunday, show blunt force trauma to the head as the cause of death, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday in a news release.

Official results should be available in eight to 12 weeks, according to the release.

Michael Stephen Walker, 44, has been charged with murder and is being held in the Henderson County Detention Facility under no bond.

Michael Walker called 911 Sunday evening and said his father, who was visiting from Lilburn, Ga., had suffered a heart attack, but police say they found evidence that proved otherwise.

When deputies arrived at 24 Sagebrush Circle in the Penncross Estates subdivision, they “immediately smelled a strong odor of bleach,” according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office Monday.

“There were obvious signs there was much more to this than a heat attack,” said Capt. Frank Stout. “We don’t know if there was a heart attack.”

Michael Walker told officers that he and his father had fought about 10 minutes before he called 911 and that his father must have had a heart attack, according to the release. Deputies noted there were signs of a struggle, Stout said, adding that “There was a pretty significant altercation between father and son.

There was also an “indication that alcohol may have been involved,” Stout said.

Jerry Walker owned the condo and often visited his son, who lived in the home. Jerry Walker had been staying with his son for about 12 days, Stout said.

<p>Preliminary autopsy results for Gerald “Jerry” Walker, 71, who died after an altercation with his son at a condo in Etowah Sunday, show blunt force trauma to the head as the cause of death, the Henderson County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday in a news release. </p><p>Official results should be available in eight to 12 weeks, according to the release.</p><p>Michael Stephen Walker, 44, has been charged with murder and is being held in the Henderson County Detention Facility under no bond. </p><p>Michael Walker called 911 Sunday evening and said his father, who was visiting from Lilburn, Ga., had suffered a heart attack, but police say they found evidence that proved otherwise. </p><p>When deputies arrived at 24 Sagebrush Circle in the Penncross Estates subdivision, they “immediately smelled a strong odor of bleach,” according to a news release from the Sheriff's Office Monday. </p><p>“There were obvious signs there was much more to this than a heat attack,” said Capt. Frank Stout. “We don't know if there was a heart attack.”</p><p>Michael Walker told officers that he and his father had fought about 10 minutes before he called 911 and that his father must have had a heart attack, according to the release. Deputies noted there were signs of a struggle, Stout said, adding that “There was a pretty significant altercation between father and son. </p><p>There was also an “indication that alcohol may have been involved,” Stout said.</p><p>Jerry Walker owned the condo and often visited his son, who lived in the home. Jerry Walker had been staying with his son for about 12 days, Stout said.</p>